ThedaCare Urges Community Members to Protect Themselves Against “Triple-Demic” This Holiday Season

NEENAH, WI- With respiratory viruses such as COVID-19, influenza, and RSV circulating
at high levels nationwide, and in Wisconsin, ThedaCare is urging community members to
protect themselves this holiday season.
“With increasing cases of the three viruses, the season has the potential to be severe,
especially for young children and older adults,” said Dr. Zachary Baeseman, ThedaCare
Family Medicine Practitioner in Waupaca and Wild Rose. “In recent years, more people were wearing face masks and were more likely to stay home while sick. This year, because many people are no longer masking and taking those precautions, we are seeing increased cases.
Also, children who haven’t been previously exposed to respiratory viruses are getting sick, and they are then passing it on to loved ones and others.”
Vaccines are especially important for those at higher risk of becoming seriously ill. That
includes the elderly, pregnant women, young children and those with weakened immune
systems and chronic diseases such as diabetes, lung diseases, high blood pressure, and
those going through cancer treatment.
Flu season is already hitting hard across the country, and hospitals are continuing to see highnumbers of respiratory illnesses cases.
“We’re asking everyone to take precautions and receive all recommended vaccines, including the updated COVID-19 booster and the flu vaccine, to help prevent and slow the spread of respiratory illnesses,” said Dr. Baeseman.
According to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, fewer than 15% of Wisconsinites have gotten their updated COVID-19 booster.